There has been a recent wave of in-season transfers with four projected Division I recruits abruptly departing their respective Indiana girls high school basketball programs over the past three weeks.
The trend began when Riley Schellhammer, a 2028 guard, left Lawrence Central on Nov. 23. A week later, 2027 Butler commit Rylee Canaan’s father announced her departure from Evansville Memorial. Then earlier this week, junior Gianna Morelli and freshman Briley Morelli abruptly exited from Bishop Chatard.
This is the first transfer for Canaan and Briley Morelli, and the second for Schellhammer (Fishers) and Gianna Morelli (Guerin Catholic).
I have received a lot of questions about the girls’ options, specifically as it relates to the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Are they eligible to play at another school? Will they have to sit out any length of time? Is this all the result of the new transfer rule?
I have been wondering those same questions myself and after extensive research, put together a “what to know” regarding in-season transfers.
Of note: These rules only apply for transfers to another IHSAA school. The prep school route remains in play; each prep school would have its own rules on eligibility.
For first-time transfers: Because the season has already begun, they are required to sit out (at least) 30 days from the date of enrollment at their new school. So long as there is no past link or undue influence and the move is not being done for primarily athletic reasons.
There are a couple exceptions here…
∎ If there is a bona fide move of at least 50 miles, the 30-day rule does not apply.
∎ A player can return to their previous school within 365 days and receive immediate eligibility. For our purposes, that would only apply to Schellhammer, who left Fishers earlier this year.
For non-first-time transfers: Their eligibility will be determined by Rules 19-5 and 19-6.1.
∎ They will have full eligibility if there is a bona fide change of residence.
∎ They will have limited eligibility (JV only) at their new school for 365 days if there is not a bona fide change of residence.
∎ They will have no eligibility if the residential change, selection of a new residence or transfer itself was for primarily athletic reasons or the result of undue influence.
There are exceptions that would grant an athlete full eligibility immediately under 19-6.1, but those are under very specific circumstances (i.e. death of a parent/guardian, move between divorced parents, school closures, etc.).
It is also important to note individual school districts have their own rules regarding open enrollment, which limits some options.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What to know on IHSAA eligibility following high-profile girls’ transfers
Reporting by Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
